BTS has added another milestone to its platinum certification run with the album Arirang in France. The country’s music certification body SNEP announced that the group’s fifth LP surpassed 100,000 equivalent sales. These include physical sales, downloads, and streams combined. Consequently, the album achieved platinum status in just over a month. This marks the group’s fastest certification in France to date.
This platinum certification run represents BTS’s fourth group album to reach platinum in France. The previous albums include Map of the Soul: 7, Proof, and Love Yourself: Answer. Arirang had previously earned gold certification within six days of its release. Therefore, the album’s strong early performance continued unabated. BTS also expanded its presence in Japan concurrently.
The Recording Industry Association of Japan certified the group’s 2018 track Let Go for platinum streaming. The song from the Japanese album Face Yourself surpassed 100 million streams in March 2026. This achievement gives BTS 17 platinum certifications in Japan. That is the most among any K pop artist. Moreover, Arirang earned triple platinum in Japan within 11 days. It surpassed 750,000 shipments there, extending the platinum certification run across both markets.
BTS continues its world tour with 85 shows across 34 cities. That marks the largest tour ever by a Korean artist. On Saturday, the group kicked off the North American leg at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Two concert dates there sold out in advance. Subsequently, BTS will perform 10 shows in El Paso, Stanford, Las Vegas, and Mexico City throughout May. The group will then return to Busan in June. The platinum certification run adds to their touring momentum.
Industry experts note that BTS’s ability to achieve rapid certifications reflects their loyal global fan base. French and Japanese markets have shown particular enthusiasm for Arirang. The album’s blend of traditional Korean elements with modern pop resonates widely. This platinum certification run also boosts the K pop industry’s international standing. Other groups may benefit from increased attention to Korean music abroad. Looking ahead, BTS will likely continue setting records as the tour progresses. Future certifications in other countries may follow soon. The group’s consistent output and engagement with fans drive this enduring success.
